Notice for Business Owners and Employers

The Morrow County Public Health staff are being inundated with phone calls from concerned community members regarding possible exposure to COVID-19. At this point, it is imperative that we minimize panic. We are asking for your assistance in managing this situation by sharing this information with your employees.

Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and do not need to seek medical care. Please encourage your employees who are well to continue to work. In order to minimize unnecessary burden on our healthcare providers, please encourage employees who are not sick to call 211 with questions rather than going to clinics. If Morrow County Pubic Health receives information about exposure in your area, we will call you and work directly with you to assess your risk.

If your employees are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) we ask that you please encourage them to stay home and that you be flexible in accommodating those reporting illnesses.

For those employees who are sick and plan to seek medical care, please have them call before going in for care so arrangements can be made to prevent exposing others. For urgent medical needs, call 911.

OHA and Morrow County Public Health continue to recommend all people in Oregon take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
  • If you are sick, please stay home until recovered.
  • Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, eating well, and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
  • Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.

Please refer your employees to the Morrow County, OR FACEBOOK PAGE as this will be kept up to date in real-time.

The following websites also provide the most accurate information:

Morrow County Website: https://www.co.morrow.or.us/

OHA Emerging Respiratory Disease page: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx

Washington Department of Health: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

CDC COVID-19 page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC travel notice: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

WHO page: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Morrow County, Oregon

Sarah Rea